Are Apple and Verizon working on an iPhone lite and a media tablet?

Some more news today on the Apple/Verizon front as BusinessWeek is reporting both Apple and Verizon have been in talks for over half a year in hopes of the two partnering up to bring two new devices to market, the first as soon as this summer. Described as an “iPhone lite”, the first of the two is a smaller and less expensive iPhone model; a device much like the one that was seriously hyped up just before Christmas. The other device — possibly debuting as early as this summer — is believed to be a touchscreen media tablet that focuses on music, photos and high-definition videos, and has the ability to make phone calls over a Wi-Fi network. Could this rumored device be the touchscreen “netbook” DigiTimes was reporting on back in May? We certainly can’t rule that out, but this whole iPhone lite thing smells a bit fishy considering that pesky AT&T iPhone exclusivity deal. BusinessWeek is pretty sure however, that the iPhone lite will be different enough from the iPhone as we know it to bypass this restriction. Still, there is a lot of doubt that any of this will make it to market. As BusinessWeek puts it:

While talks between Verizon Wireless and Apple have heated up recently, no deal is imminent. It’s possible both sides may disagree over financial terms, such as how big a subsidy Verizon Wireless might pay for each device or whether to share monthly service revenue with Apple. Another deal breaker could be disagreements over distribution of wireless software applications. Apple is the exclusive provider and distributor of apps for the AT&T iPhone. If Apple requests a similar deal on newer devices, Verizon Wireless may balk.

all i want is SOLID info asap on if VZW is getting an iPhone (lite or whatever) and i want it sooner than later!

T0F3R

Interesting, hope they release it soon (the touchscreen netbook not the iphony lite). God knows that Apple will need faster speeds than anything ATT has to offer if they want that tablet to be viable.

Sam

Does anyone think they meant iPhone LTE and not LiTE?

Bob

Sam I think you got it..

LTE is the next generation (4g) which will be the new standard for the GSM platform. AT&T & Verizon will be migrating to the new platform over the next year to year 1/2.

Ben

I was thinking the same thing Sam! Is it possible that someone misread a memo or something? If this report is to be true can we assume the following:

1.There are two devices (iPhone “lite” and tablet Mac)
2.One of the two could hit as early as this summer
3.Rumors are flying about a touchscreen mac ready for deployment as early as this summer
4.The tablet would be different enough from the ATT/Apple contract for iPhone exclusivity contract and not interfere with iPhone sales inparticular (Apple will suffer more of a blow to their iPod Touch sales than ATT will hurt on iPhone sales)
5.LTE will be up and running on VZW just in time for the ATT/Apple contract to break off
6.2010: New “LiTE” iPhone for VZW and GSM will remain the standard for iPhones for the rest of the world

cellgenius007

Ok not that this confirms the Iphone Lite rumor but last week while
at lunch I noticed a guy for works for some tech company playing
around with what I thought was to be an iphone at first but once
getting a better look it was smaller than an iphone and slightly
thinner, also the backing was not the typical white or black as you
would traditionally see. I started paying closer attention thinking
it was just a case that made the color difference on the back where
the apple logo is located but saw no indication that there was a case
of any kind on the device. It was definitely a phone with an apple
logo and had similar features of an iphone such as the camera on the
back, the apple logo where it is traditionally, but it was smaller,
like Pre small.. Don’t know if it was legit or not but the guy who
had it was definitely some type of tech dude.

Rob

You won’t see anything on Verizon until after the att contract runs out.

D.

@ cellgenius007

That dude was probably playing with an iPod Touch.

Jeff

VZW has the network and the subscriber base. I would think Apple would be frothing at the mouth to get into bed with them, on THEIR (VZW) terms now.

Hey Verizon, DO NOT GIVE IN TO THE ALMIGHTY!

MadMike

I highly doubt it. Since when did large news organizations get into the TechnoFUD business?

GetOverIt

^probably when something like the “iphone” on another us carrier would be a huge business deal….thus “Business Week”

StevenGlansburg

Verizon’s iphone plan is probably going to be 20 dollars more a month than AT&T or have a data cap. I can’t wait

md12

I have nothing to add to this discussion. It seems like most of you don’t either.

I do wonder how the VZW iphone would be different from the apple iphone.

joecurve

Intersting that the latest rumors regarding verizon comes from news org. Rather then ninjas.
We have the last 2 days business week, USAtoday. Not to mention CNBC’s piece on a qwerty-touch BB for verizon this year.
Does that mean that Exec’s started leaking stuff lately? (Instesd of the usual “lab/factory” leaks) Makes sense to me. Since gadgets is playing a vital role and is becoming more relavant by the day, that’s very different then say 2-3 years ago.

http://www.jphotog.com Eric

Verizon’s LTE will be data only for a while. Voice will still be carried by CDMA. So the answer to the question in the headline rumor mill pablum is:

No.

E

Does anyone really want a dumbed down Iphone? You know Verizon will disable WIFI and I’m sure a few more things.

Blackberry Bold

Just as much as I respect Verizon’s network, they restrict their devices way too much. I am not sure why would apple interested in developing an CDMA iphone? A lot of people say, “Oh, apple can just release iphone on verizon and they will sell almost double amount of iphones they are selling right now!”

Well, it depends. Just because you sell a product that does not meet your will be always profitable. Verizon and apple failed to agree in finance two years ago. How will it be this time? Well….
Personally, I don’t think there is any iphone coming to VZ at least this year. After Tim said, they have no plans on coming to VZ. I would say you would see iphone coming to VZ in like 2011 or 2012.

Blackberry Bold

Also about LTE….
It takes years and years for carriers to build a network. Even if LTE comes out next year, it will be very limited and flawed for at least like 2 years. I do not see how Apple will just jump on 4G iphone anytime soon. Most likely, there won’t be any 4G iphone until like 2011.

VZW

Ok att fan boys. If you were smart you would Verizon doesn’t touch smart phones. Shit, the new smart phones comming out this year have wifi. Att sucks and everyone is sick of atts horrible network.

oturn

The iPhone on Verizon? That’s ridiculous! I even heard someone say that Apple was going to switch to Intel processors! Silly people.

VZW

And Verizon has LTE up in many places and testing. We have the money and licens to put it up. Face it, Verizon has and will succeed.

AJC

…Your name is VZW. Who are you calling a “Fanboy” jackass?

AJC

And stop sounding like such a Communist. We all know you’re sitting on your moms couch switching back and forth between Gadget Blogs and WOW with potato crumbs all over your shirt. You’re not impressing anyone.

VZW

No. I work for Verizon wireless. And I’m calling you a att fan not because you’re so stupid. I know more about this then you do. AT&T SUCKS! The ratings show it! You worthless just like your att. Haha! Verizon is the best. They offer service in more place then any other network. They offer the largest 3G network, and will have the first 4G LTE network. Suck on that bitch.